Use a Joystick or Throttle with Train Sim World 3 (TSW3)

Running Train Sim World 3 with a keyboard is a pain in the train and distracts from the enjoyment of the simulation.  If you have Thrustmaster hardware such as a Joystick and or Throttle you may be in luck.

The following Thrustmaster controllers are supported, others may be as well:

• HOTAS Cougar
• HOTAS Warthog joystick F16
• HOTAS Warthog joystick F18
• HOTAS Warthog Throttle
• Airbus A320 Pilot
• TWCS Throttle
• T1600M

How to set up your controller for TSW3:

Go to the Thrustmaster website and download TARGET Command GUI software (used to map controller buttons to keyboard keys),  Just look for your controller, and click the link. If you see software (T.A.R.G.E.T) you are in luck. 

• Link to Thrustmaster controllers: Joysticks - Thrustmaster - Technical support website
• TARGET Command GUI works with all mentioned controllers above: TARGET Command GUI Download

Plug in your controller and install the software (TARGET); if your controller is compatible, it will be shown.  The software is somewhat easy to use, allowing you to set up profiles for different trains if you wish, not all trains use the same commands.

To get you started: In a non-technical nutshell, click on the controller button you wish to program and drag it over to the Drag-and-Drop area, then assign the keyboard key you wish to use.

Here is one example I use my Joystick hat switch Up to increase the throttle and Down to decrease the throttle. TSW3 keys A and D. 

Keyboard Key A Setup. Event Name (whatever you like), Key Command A, Type PRESS, Delay 20 ms, Comment whatever you like - ADD Event. Repeat the same steps with a Different Event Name, Key Command A, Type RELEASE, Delay 200 ms. (200 Milliseconds works for me).

For most keyboard key mappings, you need a Press, then a Release. See below for increasing the throttle each time you press UP on the Hat Switch on the Joystick.

Press Keyboard Key A: 

Release Keyboard Key A:

With the TARGET Software, I don't think of my Joystick as a joystick but as a one-handed controller to do most of the basic functions of operating a train by mapping all the joystick buttons to keyboard keys for TSW3.

The Target Software has a feature to validate your configuration and check your work. Once satisfied, run the software (run configuration) using the profile you created when using TSW3.  I hope this is enough info to get you started.